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Wound Up Tight

Here at Waverley we have begun a short series called "Wound Up". It deals with the stress we have in life and how we need to deal with it. Due to a technical glitch we were unable to post the audio of the first message of this series. Therefore I'll let you see my notes:

That which causes stress is part of our life. We cannot control many of these things. We become incredibly stressed by what we perceive as threats. Threats to the security of:
• Marriage and family
• Finances
• Health

Some of these events and circumstances are beyond our control:
• Sudden illness or accident
• Shutdown of the business
• Problem with the house

Some of these circumstances are self-imposed:
• Poor financial decisions against wise advice
• Deliberately following temptation to the obvious, logical conclusion
• Failure to maintain a healthy lifestyle or respond early to obvious symptoms
• Failure to manage time well, allowing too many things into the agenda with no control over how it will be handled.

No matter whether the circumstance is within or outside our control, how we respond is entirely under our control.

Everyone at some time has allowed the stresses of life to wind us up to the breaking point. Often that breaking point turns out to be an ugly drop which causes damage to ourselves and those around us.

These stresses and stressors are like the loose ends of cords that end up being tied together into a big, tight knot with us right in the middle and seemingly inextricably trapped.

Key passage: Psalm 32:6 - 11
6 Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
will not reach them.
7 You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Faith in a Faithful Relationship
"The faithful" are those who have surrendered themselves to God, therefore the "unfaithful" are unwilling to be in a relationship with God and would rather run their own lives - the results are manifest - we are stressed and worried.

The faithful PRAY: this IS the only place to go. It is the first choice and option. It is not the "last resort".

Prayer is seeking God, going to Him - He has never moved and He waits for us to return. Those in this relationship with God know they have a true, perfect Father and Parent. They know they are loved beyond emotion, but loved through a demonstrated act - Jesus' death on our behalf in order to bring us into a perfect relationship

Those who don't look for God are moving away from Him, they are alone, stress builds up because emotional and mental health is tied to our relationships and the knowledge that we belong and are loved.

The Faithful are protected because God Himself cares for them Not protection FROM danger, rather protection IN danger. Not escapism, rather assurance that inspires forward movement in life and life's circumstances. Protection comes from the presence of God which gives security, wisdom and guidance

Those who do not place face in God are under constant threat as well, but there is no protection, no wall, no shield. Stress builds up because there is no security and no guidance. Let's read verse 8 of Psalm 32:
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Our response is found in verse 9:
9 Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.

Our faith is always demonstrated It is a surrender to God's guidance and control in our life. God will not force himself on us, but if we ignore Him and His way, we will then suffer the inevitable consequences of our choice to not have faith.

Let's go on in verses 10 and 11 to get a deeper idea of our response to God:
10 Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the Lord’s unfailing love
surrounds the one who trusts in him.
11 Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!

The key verse of the "Wound Up" series is Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

When we pray God will answer and we need to pay attention to his answers because they often come from others and they will seem in the moment to be even more stress-inducing - but in the long term they represent divine healing in our lives. But faith and prayer must be accompanied by our own action according to what is truly right, good and wise.

• Finances - Maybe we need to cut up the credit cards and spend less, prioritize true needs and eliminate selfish wants
• Health - develop a new lifestyle, change your diet, get the rest and exercise that your body truly needs.
• Marriage relationship - say yes to marriage, no to temptation. Marriage is for life between a man and a woman. It is not fuzzy romantic love, but rather a deep, honest commitment to working together through everything, thus making both partners stronger in the Lord and to each other.
• Time management - get a good calendar or daytimer or time management app. Learn to say, "no" or "yes" based on wise priorities.

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